Sawrey Gilpin, R.A.

Commissioned by Douglas Douglas-Hamilton, 8th Duke of Hamilton and 5th Duke of Brandon (1756–1799);
By descent to William Douglas-Hamilton, 12th Duke of Hamilton (1845–1895);
Sold by order of the trustees of his deceased estate, London, Christie's, 6 November 1919, lot 135, to Cohen for £13.13;
David Minlore, Wildwood House, North London.

London, Society of Artists, 1780, no. 85.

Illustrated Sporting and Dramatic News, London, 1 July 1933, reproduced.

The painting appears to be in good condition with no apparent extant damage or loss of paint. The canvas has been lined and there is some abrasion to the surface, where the paint has been thinly applied in the foreground, particularly in the lower left and in the trunk of the tree, centre right. Examination under ultraviolet light reveals retouching to an old horizontal damage in the body of the pale greyhound, and two vertical areas of retouching in the foliage to the left of the black greyhound. There are a small number of further flecks of very minor retouching in the body of the black greyhound and one below the left eye of the mastiff. The picture is held in an impressive carved and gilded Carlo Maratta style frame. To speak to a specialist about this lot please contact Julian Gascoigne on +44 (0)207 293 5482.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

This important and impressive work, by one of the leading animal painters of his generation, was commissioned by Douglas Hamilton, 8th Duke of Hamilton, to whom these dogs belonged. Described as one of the most handsome men of his day Hamilton was a noted sportsman. He was fond of boxing and had a particular passion for both horses and dogs. Both the mastiff and the greyhound were popular breeds among the British aristocracy in the eighteenth century, the former for their loyalty and protective nature. Greyhounds meanwhile were popular as hunting dogs and, particularly the smaller variety (the progenitor of the modern whippet) for racing. As early as the seventeenth century the poet John Taylor (1578–1653) had commented ‘in all the shapes and forms of dogges; of all which there are but two sorts that are useful to man's profits, which two are the mastiffe and the little curre, whippet, or house-dogge; all the rest are for pleasure and recreation’.